The Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has countered Brig Gen Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Ahmed had claimed that he informed the state’s Governor-elect, Dr Peter Mbah, that his discharge certificate was not issued by the NYSC while on an interview on Arise TV. The PDP maintains that Ahmed’s comment reflects the NYSC agency’s deceit, wrongful representation of facts and grand conspiracy. These motives, according to the PDP, necessitated Mbah’s N20 Billion lawsuit against the NYSC concerning his certificate.
Barr. Nana Ogbodo, the Director of Communications and Spokesperson of the Enugu State PDP Campaign Council for the forthcoming 2023 general elections, revealed this on Friday, during a press conference. The PDP has accused the NYSC of deceitfully undermining Mbah’s reputation via written letters disclaiming his certificate, and then denying knowledge or violating court orders. The party posited that Ahmed’s claim, denying knowledge of Mbah’s certificate suit despite the court order, amounts to contempt of court.
The PDP spokesperson clarified that contrary to Ahmed’s report of informing Mbah that NYSC did not issue his certificate, he stated that the Director in charge of his case neither informed nor got clearance from the DG before writing the letter on February 1, 2023, disclaiming Mbah’s certificate. Ogbodo also affirmed that the NYSC authoritatively re-mobilized Mbah, by written permission of the agency to complete Bar Part II (Bar Final). Furthermore, the agency’s Director of Corps Certification has continued to issue letters of disclaimer to various political stakeholders in Enugu State, despite the court case. This, the PDP observed, tarnishes Mbah’s reputation.
The PDP noted that Mbah’s case provides an opportunity for NYSC to prove its authenticity in producing certificates. The party challenged NYSC to present another certificate in Mbah’s certificate series that has the same serial number as his. The PDP urged NYSC to face the N20 Billion lawsuit in court and subpoena other relevant agencies in the production of NYSC certificates to validate their evidence.
